Course Description

The Internet has become an integral part of modern society. We are constantly connected by smart, mobile devices backed by large-scale, cloud-based infrastructure. Thus, it has become critically important for computer scientists to be familiar with the fundamentals of computer networking, and the design principals behind distributed systems that leverage the network. This course will focus on the architecture, algorithms, and protocols of the Internet, as well as key design principals of distributed systems. Topics include local area networking, routing, congestion control, the domain name system, network security, and applications such as distributed key-value stores, peer-to-peer and content distribution networks, and crypto-currencies. This course will be systems oriented, and students will work on hands-on projects to learn how to build and understand Internet applications.

Prerequisites

The official prerequisites for this course are CS 3600 or CS 3650. This course is systems oriented, so I expect you to understand the basics of computer architecture and operating systems, and to have experience implementing non-trivial systems-type projects. Basic knowledge of the Unix command line is essential. You should know how to write code using emacs/vim, write a makefile, compile code using makefiles, check for running processes, kill runaway processes, and create compressed archives. Experience with a debugger is recommended.

Class Forum

The class forum is on Piazza. Why Piazza? Because they have a nice web interface, as well as iPhone and Android apps. Piazza is the best place to ask questions about projects, programming, debugging issues, exams, etc. To keep things organized, please tag all posts with the appropriate hashtags, e.g. #lecture1, #project3, etc. I will also use Piazza to broadcast announcements to the class. Bottom line: unless you have a private problem, post to Piazza before writing me/the TA an email.

Textbook

I do not require students to get textbooks; everything you need to know for this course can be found in the slides or online.
However, a textbook may be useful if you are not totally comfortable with network fundamentals, or if you just want to
have a handy reference book. Officially, the networking textbook for the course is:

Note that, should you choose to purchase these textbooks, older editions are totally fine.

Projects and Groups

There will be five programming projects throughout the semester. Programming projects are due at
11:59:59pm on the specified date. You will use a turn-in script to create a compressed archive of the project files,
timestamp them, and submit them for grading. These projects require significant design and coding, hence students are
recommended to start early!

You will use groups of two people (possibly three, if necessary) to do the projects. I will choose your groups;
if you are having trouble with your group, please contact the professor. I will switch groups after project 3. All group members should be involved in all major design decisions, and groups should develop a programming
plan that can be effectively parallelized. The course projects are hard, so you will want to distribute work between
yourself and your teammate.

Most projects can be programmed in a language of your choice. The only universal requirement is that your projects must compile
and run on an unmodified CCIS Linux machine. Notice the stress on unmodified: if you're relying on libraries
or tools that are only available in your home directory, then we will not be able to run your code and you will fail
the assignment. You are welcome to develop and test code on your home machines, but in the end everything needs to work
on the CCIS Linux machines. If you have any questions about the use of particular languages or libraries, post them to
Piazza.

Homeworks

This course will have ten homework assignments reviewing concepts in class. Homework assignments are to be done by each student
individually. The homework assignments will be graded and handed back to you within a week. Links to the homeworks can
be found in the above schedule.

Homework assignments are due at the beginning of lecture on the specified date. Late homework assignments will not be accepted,
and slip days may not be used for homeworks (see the late policy, below).

Exams

There will be one midterm and one final. All exams will be closed book and closed notes, and computers are not allowed nor
is any access to the Internet via any device. The exams will cover material from lectures, readings, and the projects.
The final will be cumulative, so review everything!

Participation

I do not require students to attend class, and I won't be taking attendance. If you need to miss class for any reason, you
don't need to tell me beforehand. However, that said, 5% of your final grade is based on your participation in class
(i.e. asking questions) and on Piazza, so it behooves you to attend and speak up.

Grading

Projects (5):

4%, 14%, 10%, 8%, 14%

Homeworks (10):

1.5% each

Midterm and Final:

15% each

Participation:

5%

Each project will include a breakdown of how it will be graded. Some projects may include extra credit components that can
boost your grade above the maximum score :)

To calculate final grades, I simply sum up the points obtained by each student (the points will sum up to some number x
out of 100) and then use the following scale to determine the letter grade: [0-60] F, [60-62] D-, [63-66] D, [67-69]
D+, [70-72] C-, [73-76] C, [77-79] C+, [80-82] B-, [83-86] B, [87-89] B+, [90-92] A-, [93-100] A. I do not curve the grades in any way.
All fractions will be rounded up.

Requests for Regrading

In this class, we will use the
Coaches Challenge to handle requests for regrading. Each student is allotted two (2)
challenges each semester. If you want a project or a test to be regraded, you must come to the professors office
hours and make a formal challenge specifying (a) the problem or problems you want to be regraded, and (b) for
each of these problems, why you think the problem was misgraded. If it turns out that there has been an error in grading,
the grade will be corrected, and you get to keep your challenge. However, if the original grade was correct, then
you permanently lose your challenge. Once your two challenges are exhausted, you will not be able to request
regrades. You may not challenge the use of slip days, or any points lost due to lateness.

Note that, in the case of projects, all group members must have an available challenge in order to contest a grade.
If the challenge is successful, then all group members get to keep their challenge. However, if the challenge
is unsuccessful, then all group members permamently lose one challenge.

Late Policy

For programming projects, we will use flexible slip days. Each student is given four (4) slip days for the semester. You
may use the slip days on any project during the semester in increments of one day. For example, you can hand in one project
four days late, or one project two days late and two projects one day late. You do not need to ask permission before
using slip days; simply turn in your assignment late and the grading scripts will automatically tabulate any slip days
you have used.

Slip days will be deducted from each group member's remaining slip days. Keep this stipulation in mind: if one
member of a group has zero slip days remaining, then that means the whole group has zero slip days remaining.

After you have used up your slip days, any project handed in late will be marked off using the following formula:

In other words, every day late is 20% off your grade. Being 1 second late is exactly equivalent to being 23 hours and 59
minutes late. Since you will be turning-in your code on the CCIS machines, their clocks are the benchmark time (so beware
clock skew between your desktop and CCIS if you're thinking about turning-in work seconds before the deadline).
My late policy is extremely generous, and therefor I will not be sympathic to excuses for lateness.

Cheating Policy

It's ok to ask your peers about the concepts, algorithms, or approaches needed to do the assignments. We encourage you to
do so; both giving and taking advice will help you to learn. However, what you turn in must be your own, or for projects,
your group's own work. Looking at or copying code or homework solutions from other people or the Web is strictly prohibited.
In particular, looking at other solutions (e.g., from other groups or prior CS 3700 students) is a direct violation.
Projects must be entirely the work of the students turning them in, i.e. you and your group members. If you
have any questions about using a particular resource, ask the course staff or post a question to the class forum.

All students are subject to the Northeastern University's
Academic Integrity Policy. Per CCIS policy, all
cases of suspected plagiarism or other academic dishonesty must be referred to the Office of Student Conduct and
Conflict Resolution (OSCCR). This may result is deferred suspension, suspension, or expulsion from the university.

Accomodations for Students with Disabilities

If you have a disability-related need for reasonable academic accommodations in this course and have not yet met with a Disability
Specialist, please visit www.northeastern.edu/drc and follow the outlined
procedure to request services. If the Disability Resource Center has formally approved you for an academic accommodation
in this class, please present the instructor with your "Professor Notification Letter" at your earliest convenience,
so that we can address your specific needs as early as possible.

Title IX

Title IX makes it clear that violence and harassment based on sex and gender are Civil Rights offenses subject to the same
kinds of accountability and the same kinds of support applied to offenses against other protected categories such as
race, national origin, etc. If you or someone you know has been harassed or assaulted, you can find the appropriate resources
here.